31+ Things to Do in Drumheller with Kids

Updated November 14, 2024

Outside of the Rockies, Drumheller is perhaps the most tourism-attraction dense location in Alberta. And we love it!

With a dinosaur obsessed child we have made the trek to Drumheller an annual event, and try to check out something new each time (plus the Tyrrell Museum). This means I’ve build up a big list of things to do in and around the area!

Any locations with photos are places we’ve actually visited. Those without are still on my to-visit list, and I’ll update them once we’ve been!

This land has welcomed First Nations from across Turtle Island, and settlers and visitors from around the world. Alberta lands are part of Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10, and the homeland of the Métis. Alberta Mamas respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit nations. We are all Treaty people.

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Where to Stay in Drumheller

I won’t delay you from “things to do” by much, but if you’ll be spending a few nights in Drumheller, here are a few places to consider staying:

• Inexpensive Campgrounds Near Drumheller
• Family-Friendly Hotels in Drumheller with Waterslides
• Stay in a Hillside Burrow in Three Hills

Things to Do in Drumheller

Tyra, The World’s Largest Dinosaur

• Location: 60 – Riverside Dr. West
• Operating hours: 10am-5:30pm, Sunday to Thursday; 9am-7pm Friday & Saturday
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: Free/5 and under, $5/6yrs+, $15/family (1-2 adults, max 8 people)
• Discounts available for: Military/CFOne card holders (Free), Alberta History Pass (Free), Canoo (Free), AMA/CAA/AAA

Hard to miss from anywhere in Drumheller, Tyra, The World’s Largest Dinosaur is a must-do when visiting (and checks off an item on your Roadside Attractions list). The lobby also contains a small gift shop and the local Visitor Information Centre.

Tyra is located in front of the community rec centre (which has both an indoor and outdoor pool) and a free splash park. There are plenty of picnic tables in the area as well if you want to have a snack or lunch.

The parking lot is often busy. Expect this to be a challenge, or find parking in the nearby area (the Dinosaur is located near plenty of local shops) and enjoy the walk!

Expect the visit to take 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the line-up.

Dinosaur Statue Hunting

• Location: Various
• Operating hours: 24/7
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: Free

Drumheller has embraced being the Dinosaur Capital of Canada. You can find quirky dinosaurs around town (map) like this one in front of the Fire Hall (photo taken in 2020 – thus the sign!).

Hunting them down while you explore the area is a fun, free activity that keeps the kids entertained during the drive. You’ll hear plenty of “I found another one!” as you explore.

Dinosaur Hunting can be something you do from your car, or you can plan to stop and take photos of every one you find. It’s up to you how long this activity takes!

Fun Fact! The 30 or so concrete dinosaurs were originally constructed by artist Tig Seland for “Prehistoric Park” which closed in the 1980s.

“Welcome to Drumheller” Sign

• Location: South Dinosaur Trail near Nacmine Ball Diamond Road (pictured); 518-606 AB-9 (most popular); Hwy 9 at the south end of town (red dirt)
• Operating hours: 24/7, but best visited when the sun is up
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: Free

Take ten minutes and grab a family photo at one of three “Welcome to Drumheller” signs. This photo is one of the most popular souvenirs in town!

Homestead Antique Museum & Murray House tea room

• Location: 901 North Dinosaur Trail
• Operating hours: 10am-5pm, 7 days a week in July & August; 10am-5pm, Friday, Saturday, 10am-2pm Sunday in May & June; closed in winter
• Age range: Museum-buff kids and adults
• Prices: Free/6 and under, $10/7-17yrs, $12/adult, $10/65+, $40/family

Packed with artifacts, many with incredibly detailed descriptions, the Homestead Museum is this history buff’s dream come true!

The kids found it much less interesting. While I wanted to read all the information, the kids quickly took in the displays and were ready to move on. They’ve become lovers of small town museums, but Homestead Museum doesn’t have a lot to catch the interest of kids. Hopefully they’ll set up a scavenger hunt or similar worksheet soon!

Find the Homestead Antique Museum on Facebook and Instagram.

Expect your visit to last from 30 minutes to two hours.

Public Library

• Location: 80 Veterans Way
• Operating hours: 9am-5pm, Monday, Friday, & Saturday; 9am-8pm Tuesday to Thursday; closed Sundays & statutory holidays
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: Free

We love a good library! Whether you’re looking for a free, indoor spot to hide from the heat or rain, or need to take a quiet moment with a book, Drumheller Library has you covered. Also check their Upcoming Events to see if you want to take anything in.

Badlands Amphitheatre

• Location: 605 17 Street SW
• Operating hours: Varies
• Age range: Depends on Performance
• Prices: Varies

This breathtaking, natural amphitheatre seats 2500! Badlands Amphitheatre is famous for their annual production of the Badlands Passion Play, but also hosts a number of outdoor concerts, festivals, and light shows throughout the year.

Be sure to bring more water than you think you’ll need, and plenty of sunscreen!

Things to Do North of Drumheller

Bleriot Ferry

• Location: Highway 838 over the Red Deer River
• Operating hours: 8am-11pm mid-spring to the September long weekend; 8am-7pm September long weekend to October 30
• Age range: All ages
• Price: Free

Sometimes it’s cheaper to build a boat than a bridge. And then it becomes a tourist attraction!

Take a free ride across the river on the Bleriot Ferry. There isn’t a lot of fan fair to the ride – simply the act of taking a boat across a body of water is the novelty in this landlocked province.

Depending where the ferry is when you arrive the trip typically takes between ten and thirty minutes.

Orkney Viewpoint

• Location: Off Highway 837, northwest of Drumheller
• Operating hours: Day-use (no overnight camping)
• Age range: All ages
• Price: Free

If you’re looking for a stunning view of the Red Deer River Valley, stop at Orkney Viewpoint. With vault toilets and benches it’s a perfect picnic spot.

If you’re just coming to see the view this stop could take two minutes. We spent about thirty minutes here letting the kids learn to climb a fence and building a great core memory.

Horsethief Canyon

• Location: 14km N of Drumheller on N Dinosaur Trail
• Operating hours: daylight
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: Free

Not to be confused with Horseshoe Canyon to the east of Drumheller, Horsethief Canyon is more wild, and much more challenging terrain. Be sure you have proper hiking shoes – even runners slip on the clay trails.

If you just stop for the view this spot could be as little as 2 minutes. As soon as you hike down to the valley floor you’re time will increase to 20 minutes or as long as you want to explore.

There are no marked trails, so be sure to pay attention to where you’ve walked. It’s easy to get lost.

Barney’s Adventure Park

• Location: Highway 838 West – Drumheller Valley
• Operating hours: 9am-5pm, Daily (summer only)
• Age range: All Ages (most enjoyable for 4+, though)
• Prices: Free/3 and under, $23+GST/4+ yrs

It’s is a full day of activities at Barney’s Adventure Park! Explore the corn maze and sunflower patch, walk the live dinosaur trail, glide down the mega-slide, cuddle fuzzy friends, watch the pig races, complete the rope course, play carnival style games (no prizes, but free!), and so much more!

There is additional charges for on-site food and drink (you are welcome to bring your own), panning for gold, and animal food, but otherwise everything is included with admission.

Our day spent here is one of my kids’ strongest memories over all our trips to Drumheller.

Cactus Coulee Fun Park

• Location: 292138 HWY 838, Drumheller
• Operating hours: Open May Long Weekend to Labour Day – See website for details
• Age range: 30lbs+; must be over 52″ to drive
• Prices: varies by activity (starting at $10/6+ for mini-golf and Eurobungy)

Drive the 1/3 mile kart track on a “Bobcat”, “Super Bobcat”, or “Jaguar”; play a round of minigolf; spend ten minutes in the Eurobungy; and spend the night in the campground at Cactus Coulee Fun Park.

The Little Church

• Location: Murray Hill Road and Highway 838
• Operating hours: Always open
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: Free

“Drumheller’s Little Church. Seating 10,000 people – 6 at a time.“

This popular little photo stop makes many Alberta Roadside Attractions lists. The Little Church, built in 1958 by local contractor Tyvge “Tig” Seland is a hot spot to spend ten minutes before or after visiting the Royal Tyrrell Museum.

Read the TripAdvisor reviews!

Royal Tyrrell Museum

• Location: Hwy 838, 6km N of Drumheller
• Operating hours: 9am-9pm, 7 days a week May 15-August 31; 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday September 1-May 14
• Age range: All ages (plenty of interactive displays for non-readers)
• Prices: Free/6 and under, $10/7-17yrs, $21/adult, $14/65+, $50/family
• Discounts available for: Military/CFOne card holders (Free), Alberta History Pass (Free), Canoo (Free), free on Alberta Culture Days (typically late September)

The top attraction in Drumheller, the Royal Tyrrell Museum can easily fill an entire day. (Hubs and I have managed to go through the indoor portion in 2 hours in our younger years without kids, but haven’t managed it in under 3 hours with them.)

Indoors, there is a newer area just for kids called the Learning Lounge (built in 2020/21), and lots of stuff to keep folks of all ages interested. My kids favourite spaces (besides the obvious Learning Lounge) are the Cretaceous Garden, being measured against the Camarasaurus leg bone, and exploring the fossils of the Dinosaur Hall.

Outdoors, there are plenty of free and paid activities. Even if you don’t go into the museum, check out the Science Break, Raptor Assembly, Badlands Interpretive Trail, and Paleo Play Park. The outdoor activities can easily fill a few hours!

If you have some extra time and budget, check out some of the guided activities and tours, or the Self-guiding Fun Books you can purchase at Admission.

Midlands Provincial Park & Midland Coal Mine day-use area

• Location: Between Drumheller and Royal Tyrrell Museum
• Operating hours: 7am-11pm, daily
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: Free

Established in 1979 to conserve mining history in the region, Midlands Provincial Park is easily overlooked amid everything else going on around and in it.

Stop at the Midlands Coal Mining Day Use area for lunch or a snack and wander the Midland Coal Interpretive Trail, or explore the Badlands Interpretive Trail starting from the Royal Tyrrell Museum.

Like most parks, your time here will vary depending on what you choose to do.

North-East of Drumheller

Michichi Creek Boardwalk interpretive trail

• Location: Michichi Dam Campground, Hwy 849
• Operating hours: daylight
• Age range: All ages (plenty of interactive displays for non-readers)
• Prices: Free

This easy, 1km boardwalk hike is a completely different environment than most spots you’ll find around Drumheller. A beaver dam creates a year-round wetland area that provides habitat for many birds, fish, and mammals.

11 interpretive signs explain the history of the dam, plants, animals, soils, geology, invasive species and beaver co-existence. Drive straight until you can’t any more after entering Michichi Dam Campground recreation area to find the trailhead on the right.

Take some extra time to let the kids blow off steam at the playground. If you’re a camper, Michichi Dam is on our list of affordable camping options near Drumheller.

Expect the walk to take between 30-60 minutes.

Rowley Ghost Town

• Location: Rowley, AB (Follow the signs off Hwy 56 north of Drumheller)
• Operating hours: Check their Facebook page for tour availability
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: Tours are by donation

Rowley is a happening little ghost town! Featured on our Cheap Drumheller camping list, the hamlet of less than 10 people offers tours, camping, and hosts a very popular monthly pizza night.

If you go for Pizza Night be sure to line up early (you can get a pitcher of beer to drink in line at Sam’s – and popcorn!). There is a live band performing either on the stage or in Sam’s, depending on the weather. Expect Pizza Night to take most of your afternoon and all evening.

Get more details in our Rowley, Alberta post.

Morrin Historical Park Sod House

• Location: Corner of 2 Ave S and 1 St S, Morrin
• Operating hours: by appointment to see the interior

Discover a Sod House and local history at the Morrin Historical Park Sod House. Build in 1980 and upgraded in 2009 this is the local community’s museum. Visit Starland County’s Attractions page for details.

Delia Museum and Grist Mill

• Location: 307 Main Street, Delia
• Operating hours: Open 10am-4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, July 1st to Labour Day. Open holiday Mondays. Other times by appointment
• Age range: All ages (plenty of interactive displays for non-readers)
• Prices: Admission by donation

The 1913-14 two-room school has been converted into a museum featuring local artifacts and a restored classroom. Next door is the only Grist Mill in Western Canada.

Get more details on the Town of Delia’s website.

South of Drumheller

Rosedale

Star Mine Suspension Bridge

• Location: Mabbot Road, Rosedale
• Operating hours: Daylight
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: Free

Re-opened in 2024 after a 4 year closure, the Star Mine Suspension Bridge is a popular starting point for a hike in the badlands, or just a unique photo opportunity.

Expect your visit to take anywhere from a five minute photo op to an hour or two hiking around.

Asteroid Cater (ice cream stop)

• Location: 163 Centre Street, Rosedale
• Operating hours: Thursday – Tuesday 11:30-7:30 (8:00 for ice cream); Closed Wednesdays (2024);
• Age range: All ages

Serving up burgers, hand cut fries, handmade chicken tenders, and ice cream the castle-like Asteroid Cater is a local landmark along the Hoodoo Trail.

This is a small family business, so be sure to check their Facebook Page to confirm hours.

Wayne

Last Chance Saloon

• Location: Wayne, AB
• Operating hours: Call 403-823-9189 for hours

Take the 11 Bridges to Wayne and stay in one of the Rosedeer Hotel’s theme rooms, camp in the badlands for less, or just have dinner at the Last Chance Saloon and Smokehouse indoors or on the dog-friendly patio.

The drive to Wayne from the highway is less than ten minutes. How long you stay is up to you!

Alberta Badlands Disc Golf

• Location: Jewel Street, Wayne
• Age range: Able to throw a frisbee with accuracy

Bring your frisbees and try your hand at frisbee golf on Wayne’s Professional Disc Golf Association recognized course.

The Sunny Spot

• Location: 5225 Highway 10 East, Drumheller
• Operating hours: Check the Things to Know section of the About page
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: varies by activity

This roadside eatery takes additional entertainment to the next level! In addition to their awesome burgers, you can visit the professional designed mini-golf course, the sunflower maze, the corn maze, and even go pumpkin picking!

Your visit can last anywhere from 15 minutes for ice cream or a few hours for mini-golf, the corn maze, and a meal. Visit The Sunny Spot for all the details.

Willow Creek Hoodoos

• Location: Coulee Way, Drumheller
• Operating hours: All day, every day
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: $2/vehicle during peak hours

Featured as the cover of Top 150 Unusual Things to See in Alberta, the Willow Creek Hoodoos are a natural formation caused by dark brown marine shale caprocks overlying white sandstone.

Metal staircases and walkways wrap the most photographed hoodoos, but you are invited to continue past them into the sandstone coulee and climb the 80m hill to the top.

While you’ll see many folks out in sneakers, sandals, or even Crocs, we strongly recommend hiking shoes or boots if you plan on going all the way up! The extra grip they give is worth it.

Respect the land! The hoodoos are a Provincial Historic Resource protected under the Historical Resources Act. Fines for defacing or removing property are up to $50,000 and/or up to one year in prison.

Visiting the hoodoos can take anywhere from a few minutes (the walk from the parking lot is probably longer than the walk around the featured hoodoos) to an hour or more if you go exploring up to the top.

East Coulee

East Coulee School Museum

• Location: 359 2 Ave, East Coulee
• Operating hours: 7 days a week, 10am to 5pm (tea room closes at 4:30pm)
• Age range: Best for kids able to read independently
• Prices: Free/6 and under, $9/general admission, $22/family

The East Coulee School Museum is the spot that set the bar for my kids when it comes to museums (and they have become small town museum connoisseurs).

The two-storey school covers lots of local history, geology, and general life in the area over the last 150 years.

They have a great scavenger hunt for the kids (pictured) with a few things in each room to keep the kids engaged.

Be sure to save a bit of time for the kids to play on the 1970’s era playground outside, and consider grabbing a snack at the cafe!

Expect your visit to take 2-3 hours.

Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site

• Location: 110 Century Drive, East Coulee
• Operating hours: Summer: 10am-5pm, 7 days/week
• Age range: All ages (plenty of interactive displays for non-readers)
• Prices: Free/2 and under, $8.75/3-5yrs, $12.65/6-17yrs, $15.95/adult, $12.65/65+

An active mine from 1936 to 1984, the Atlas Coal Mine is one of the most complete examples of mining in Western Canada in the 20th century.

We visited in 2020, and only a few weeks after they’d opened back up under the “new normal”, so my experience here was far from typical. We enjoyed exploring the property and reading the signs, but it would have been so much better with a guide, especially for the 3 year old. I highly recommend booking a tour when visiting!

Expect your visit to take 1-2 hours depending on your mobility and any extras you do.

West of Drumheller – Hwy 9 West

Dinosaur Downs Speedway

• Location: 5 minutes west of Drumheller on the south side of Hwy 9 (map)
• Operating hours: See Schedule for race weekends
• Age range: All ages
• Prices: Free/6 and under, $10/7-17yrs, $15/adult, $10/65+

Just outside the City of Drumheller, Dinosaur Downs Speedway hosts several races every summer. Consession and beer gardens are available on site, but you can also bring your own food. Pets on leash are allowed.

Admission is for the entire day’s worth of races. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for the latest information.

Horseshoe Canyon

• Location: 15 minutes west of Drumheller on the North side of Hwy 9
• Age range: All ages but best for confident walkers
• Prices: Free to walk around; $2/vehicle for parking

Explore the rugged badland terrain of Horseshoe Canyon! Be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water, and DO NOT visit when wet (the clay soil becomes extremely slippery and dangerous).

Kneehill County has been working hard to increase the tourism-friendliness of this location. They’ve added a staircase to the bottom of the canyon and interpretive signs around the area within the last few years. If you haven’t visited recently it’s worth another stop!

Expect your visit to take 1-2 hours.

Small Town Day Trips

Carbon

Located 25 minutes west of Drumheller via Highway 575, the Village of Carbon is a quaint prairie town with plenty to offer! A few of the attractions include:

• Farmers Exchange Museum
• Carbon Caboose at 715 Glengarry Street
• Carbon Centennial Pool outdoor pool open May long to September long
• Carbon Valley Railway at 100 East Campground Rd

Three Hills & Trochu

These neighbouring towns are 40 & 45 minutes north of Drumheller and could be a weekend destination of their own. We highly recommend a stay at Good Knights Medieval Encampment!

More family-friendly things to do in the area include:

• Kneehill Historical Museum
• Good Knights Medieval Encampment
• Trochu Arboretum
• Trochu & District Museum
• Trochu Swimming Pool & Splash Park
• World’s Largest Golf Tee

Rosebud

While it’s more of an adult destination, a list of Drumheller activities wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Rosebud. The artists’ community on the prairies, Rosbud is home to the famous Rosebud Theatre.

It’s located 25 minutes west of Drumheller via Highway 9 and 840.

Water Activities

Love the water? Drumheller may be in a desert-like landscape, but there are a few spots to get wet!

• Newcastle Beach
• Rotary Spray Park
• Aquaplex
• McMullen Island Day Use Area
• Red Deer River Adventures

Restaurants

We’re big fans of shopping local for coffee and beer. And when travelling with kids it’s worth looking for those special kid-friendly spots. When we’re in Drumheller, these are some of the stops we try to make:

• WHIFS Flapjack House for breakfast (and Sunday brunch buffet). They have a train that runs through the rafters that kids love!
• Bernie and the Boys is home of the 24oz Mammoth Burger and plenty of milkshake options.
• Black Mountain Roasters makes my personal favourite Alberta roast (though he’s been having difficulty getting the beans lately). Pop in for your morning brew or an early afternoon snack. Be sure the check hours ahead of time, as they close early to roast beans occasionally!
• Valley Brewing is a nice little craft brewery in the badlands. The tap room is kid friendly. They have sodas for the underage drinkers.

Closed Attractions

Time passes and attractions close. You may find these spots on someone else’s list, or have a friend tell you “You gotta do this!” Unfortunately, the following spots have closed, whether due to economics, retirement, or another, unknown reason:

• Fossil World Dinosaur Museum
• Valley Doll Museum & Gifts

More About Drumheller

Looking for more info about Drumheller? Check out these posts!

• Affordable Campgrounds Near Drumheller
• Kid-Friendly Hotels in Drumheller (with Waterslides)
• Your Story: Day Trip to Drumheller
• Family Trip! Drumheller Alberta

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